I had mentioned previously on another page that I was asked to lead a team on a short term missions trip to Guadalajara, Mexico. For months prior to being approached, I had heard from God that, first back in February 2016 while in Kenya, I was not going to be in Kenya for 2017. I heard this immediately after I arrived in Kenya at the Nairobi Airport. I thought I was just hungry, tired and jet lagged. However while in service during one of our Bible lessons with the Kenya children; I heard Him say it again; you will not be in Kenya in 2017. I responded OK Lord. I mentioned this to our team while in Kenya and once again when we returned to Pittsburgh at our debriefing meeting. It was almost one year to the very day later that I heard the Lord speak to me about not going to Kenya that my beloved grandson, Devon Rae Marshman, who was serving a 4-8 year prison sentence, had a sudden decline in his health relating to his recent diagnosis of Stage 4 Hodgkin's Lymphoma. He was diagnosed with this disease the first two years of his sentence. His health was critical and death was imminent. He was only 22 years old when he passed into the presence of our Lord in the infirmary of the State Correctional Institute of Pittsburgh on March 21, 2017. His last 4 years on this side life were in what most would believe to be an awful place. It is such much so that no one wants to have their freedom taken away from them. But when incarcerated that is a reality. You are under the power of the system. However, my grandson, Devon Rae Marshman, used those years to renew his faith in Christ by requesting to have the sermons from Pastor Rock from our church, Allegheny Center Alliance Church, sent to him. He not only shared those sermons with other inmates but every piece of mail that comes through that prison is read by someone in authority, i.e., a guard or CO (Commanding Officer) before it reaches the addressee. Devon made it clear to me and his mother during one of our final visits that he knew who his Savior is and was willing to leave this side of life and be with Him at such an early age. His prognosis was 6 months to 2 years with continued treatment or 6 months without treatment. Both of which were only prolonging the inevitable. He said directly to me, "I have made my decision", to discontinue all treatment. He lived two weeks after that admission. His mother and I were present for his last 5 breaths in the infirmary. It was a beautiful departure from this life as he entered eternal life with his Savior, Jesus Christ. His breath was so sweet as we watched him gently breathe and then no longer. God was so merciful to his mother and me in that he did not struggle to breathe or try to stay here. He went peacefully and without any hesitation. He went right away as Jesus came for him. It was this turn of events that the Lord let me know a year in advance that I would not be in Kenya in 2017. I now understand.
This leads me back to Guadalajara, Mexico. When Pastor Glenn asked me to lead the team I told him I would pray about it. Devon's condition wasn't critical at that time. Once I said I would pray about it, I started receiving emails from outside vendors in Spanish. This went on for a couple weeks. I sent some of them to Pastor Glenn. Once I told Pastor Glenn I would go; the emails stopped. God sent me and a hand selected team to minister to women and children in Guadalajara through a vacation Bible school, a one day conference to women and the task of clearing out the land where their new church will be built. We also set up a portable pool on this site for a baptism. We witnessed 22 baptisms on this new site; of which most were youth and young adults. I will never understand the things God does but I will always trust Him with my life and the lives of my loved ones. This is an experience I will never forget. I never lead a team before. I was able to see service to our Lord from another perspective. it was an awesome experience. We call ourselves Team Pittsburgh; but we are actually Team for Jesus. To God be all the glory.
Go to photo gallery to see a picture of the team.